Breastfeeding and Returning to Work: How Can You Make Both Work? 🍼

After spending several weeks, months or perhaps even years with your child, the time to return to work eventually comes for many parents. And as if preparing for this new routine didn’t already raise enough questions, breastfeeding mums often have another one to think about: how can you continue breastfeeding once you’re back at work?

Should you start expressing milk? Build up a supply? Get your child used to a bottle? Can you express milk at work? And above all, is it really possible to continue breastfeeding when you spend several hours a day away from your child?

The most important thing to know is that going back to work doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stop breastfeeding. Expressed breast milk, combination feeding, breastfeeding when you’re together or gradually weaning – there are several possibilities depending on your daily routine, your child and, most importantly, what feels right for you.

So how can you prepare for this new stage? What are your rights at work? And how can you make it all work during a time when so much is already changing? At Tajinebanane, we’ve put together a guide dedicated to breastfeeding when returning to work, so here’s everything you need to know!

Going back to work without stopping breastfeeding? It’s possible! 💼

Sometimes, going back to work comes just as you’ve finally found your rhythm with your child and breastfeeding has settled into place – and suddenly there’s a whole new routine to get used to. But being apart during the day doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your breastfeeding journey.

You could, for example, express milk for your child to have while you’re away, combine breastfeeding with infant formula, or mainly breastfeed in the morning, evening, at night and on the days you spend together. There are plenty of possibilities.

Official guidance in France also emphasises that returning to work doesn’t necessarily mean stopping breastfeeding and that there are different ways to make it work. There’s no single perfect solution: continuing to breastfeed, combination feeding or deciding to gradually wean your child are all possibilities. What matters most is finding the option that works for you, your child and your everyday life.

Breastfeeding at Work: What Are Your Rights? 📓

If you work in France, French labour law includes specific provisions for breastfeeding employees. During the first year after your child is born, you are entitled to one hour per working day to breastfeed or express milk. This is generally divided into two 30-minute periods, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The timing is agreed with your employer or, if no agreement is reached, scheduled in the middle of each half of the working day.

This time can be used to breastfeed your child where possible or to express milk. If your employer provides a dedicated breastfeeding room within or close to the workplace, these two periods are reduced to 20 minutes each. Employers with more than 100 employees may also be required to provide a dedicated breastfeeding space.

It’s important to note that in France, these breaks are generally unpaid, unless your collective agreement or company offers more favourable conditions.

It’s therefore a good idea to speak to your employer before returning to work to find out exactly what arrangements can be put in place. Depending on your situation, options such as working from home, adjusted working hours or part-time work may also be possible, although these are not necessarily legal rights specifically linked to breastfeeding.

If you work outside France, breastfeeding rights and workplace provisions may differ, so make sure to check the regulations that apply in your country.

How to Express Milk at Work 🏢

The main goal is to find a routine that works with your body, your schedule and your working environment. Some mums may express milk once or several times during their working day, while others may be able to keep more breastfeeds thanks to working from home or having childcare nearby.

If you express milk regularly, an electric breast pump – potentially a double pump – can help save time. For occasional use, a compact and quiet manual pump may be enough. At Tajinebanane, we also offer the Elvie breast pump, which you can find here.

Your comfort matters too. A poorly fitting breast shield can make expressing painful and less effective. To help encourage your let-down reflex, try getting comfortable, looking at a photo or video of your child, gently massaging your breasts or using warm compresses. Gradually establishing a routine can also help.

Some mums find expressing milk easy from the start, while others need a little more time to get used to it. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all method to follow – what matters is finding a rhythm that works for you.

How to Store Breast Milk at Work 💧

As you get closer to returning to work, a freezer filled with little bags of breast milk can become your best ally. But don’t worry: building up a huge supply is absolutely not essential. You can just as easily express milk the day before for the following day.

Once expressed, breast milk needs to be collected, stored and transported correctly. Current French recommendations state that freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the fridge for up to 48 hours at a maximum temperature of 4°C, in the coldest part of the fridge rather than in the door. For longer storage, it can be frozen at −18°C for up to four months.

If you want to combine milk from several expressing sessions, freshly expressed milk should first be cooled before being added to milk that is already refrigerated. Remember to label it with the date and time of the first expressing session, as well as your child’s full name if the milk is intended for childcare.

To defrost breast milk, place it in the fridge several hours before you plan to use it. Once thawed, it should be used within 24 hours and must never be refrozen. Avoid using the microwave too, as it can create hot spots and put your child at risk of burns. When transporting breast milk between work and home, use a cool bag or insulated bag with an ice pack if necessary, and place the milk back in the fridge as soon as possible.

What If Your Child Refuses the Bottle? 👶

This is one of the biggest worries before going back to work: “My child has never really taken a bottle… How will they manage without me?”

The first thing to know is that a bottle isn’t the only way to give your child breast milk. Depending on their age and abilities, you could also try a cup, a glass, a spoon or another suitable feeding method.

If you choose to use a bottle, let your child explore the teat without forcing it, and hold the bottle almost horizontally so that the milk doesn’t flow too quickly. If your child refuses the bottle when you offer it, someone else can also try giving it to them.

And remember: the transition can happen gradually. The person who will be looking after your child can also be part of this adjustment and help them get used to this new way of feeding.

Finding a Routine That Works for You 🤝

Expressing milk at work isn’t necessarily the right solution for everyone. Continuing to breastfeed can also mean combination feeding: keeping breastfeeds for the times when you’re together and offering infant formula while you’re apart. Your milk supply can gradually adapt to this new rhythm.

It’s also a good idea to speak to your childcare provider in advance about your child’s usual routine, the feeding methods they use and how breast milk should be stored. The Tajinebanane guide includes a handy information sheet where you can share all these details with your nursery, childminder or whoever will be looking after your child.

Above all, give yourself the freedom to adjust your routine along the way. Your child may refuse a particular feeding method, the amount of milk you express may vary from day to day, or you may simply find that the routine you originally planned doesn’t work for you.

If you experience ongoing difficulties with breastfeeding, expressing milk or feeding your child, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a midwife, doctor, paediatrician, health visitor or lactation consultant.

A Final Word for a Smooth Return to Work 🫶

Going back to work while breastfeeding naturally takes a little adjustment. Between expressing milk, work schedules, storing breast milk and organising childcare, it’s completely normal to need some time to settle into your new routine.

Going back to work doesn’t automatically mean the end of your breastfeeding journey. Expressing milk, keeping certain feeds, combination feeding or gradually weaning are all possible options – and what works for you may change over time.

And remember: even a routine that looks perfect on paper might not feel right once you put it into practice. You can always adjust it along the way. The most important thing remains the same: the best choice is the one that works for you, your child and your everyday life. 💛

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@tajinebanane

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